Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-03-06
THE MEXICAN WOMAN.
How She Spends Her Time Pe-
fore and After Marriage.
n. Mexican Girls Eduessioa-Rmbroi-
Ssry, Lase-Makisg- Household
Work and Little o. Ne
RsadiHg-whers Igno-
rance II Bills.
fspecial Correspondence Of Fannie 3
Ward 70 the s. T. Post from the
City Of Mexico.l

,srAe;sl Correspondence Of Fannie B.
Ward 70 the s. r. Post from the
City Of Aexico.)
The scholastic course Of q Mexican
~ AZ aristocratic family is finished
s~gors she Is fifteen. At which age she
!, considered marFiageable." The
~,ife az General Santa Ana was welded
"a thatgily ruler whom the Americans
,s,oerober Is the butcher Of the Ala
no. when only thirteen, and numer-
- brides in these later days are
sesrcsly older. II must be remember
a however, that girls mature earlier
= the tropics, and in corresponding
ratio grow old much sooner than In the
colder north.
Though Mexico AbOunds In single
women Of mature age, we never hear
a an ." old maid, " for 10 remain for
sv,r unmarried entails no such stigma
hsre A. attaches 10 unmarried females
mother lands. II her lonely condition
! alluded to by these polite people.
;lsy speak Of her in some kindly
rht.ss indicating that Ia pobracita
ishs psor, dear girll has been hard
Thecustom Of engaging accomplished
soreign Koyernesses or native tutors to
Instruct young girls at home Is gain
igg ground among wealthy families
h MEXICO. because IL is looked upon a.
a. alarming stretch Of the prophecies
10 send
BUDDING sEsoRITA
Over ten years Of age 10 a day school,
syeu IN the family carriage. acc0mpa-
NED by a servant who never loses sight
A her til she is safely returned to the
rstsrnal domicil In the days OF con-
ventual institutions the daughters Of
Usll-to-do people were universally
placed in charge Of the gentle sister
hood, generally entering the convent
schools Al an early age and remaining
until old enough 70 marry. Since the
enlistment OF nuns and monks from
Msrico, q great many private schools
and seminaries have been established,
wherein girls are duly " finished, 4" &C.
eording 70 Mexican ideas. The acme
Of their accomplishments Is to become
rood linguists and tolerable musicians,
and 10 acquire q smattering Of history
and general literature, placing them
about on par with the corresponding
class in France and Spain. But they
are never cultivated TO the Bostonian
point In the classics OF occult sciences;
heir simpler accomplishments being
such a. shine 10 the best advantage In
tie home circle. Mexican ladies OF
high degree are never educated with a
new 10 utilizing their accomplishment
ioF gaining a livelihood in any possible
reverse OF fortune; for under no cir
eumstances are they expected to assist
IN theirown support The old Spanish
east0rn which obliges gentlemen to
provide for all their destitute female
relatives, and shield them absolutely
nom contact with the world, still pre-
walls among the upper classes. notwith-
Standing the fact that nearly a century
Of foreign wars aud internal revoiu-
tons have made II a difficult task In
many instances, and forever debarred
nom matrimony the scions OF many
proud but impoverished houses.
Asa rule, paterfamilias does not en-
courage much reading of books--except
Of . religious character the
lemale members OF his flock, and Ger
hinly not the general run Of newspa-
psrs, such as are found In every North
sfn family. He believes not only that
"a little knowledge Is a dangerous
thing" and might lead TO that PERM
eious strong mindedness which he Inn
agnes affects most ladies in the United
States, but that literally
IGNORANCE Is Hiss
In their appointed sphere. II not mar
RED at once when released from school
restraints, the naother or some elderly
female relative undertakes 10 instruct
the young lady in those domestic du-
ties which matrimony entails. because,
whether rich or poor, on the day Of
her marriage she viii 90 to n home OF
Der own, which the expeetant bride.
groom must previously prepare. To
that end she IS taught to compound
delicacies and refreshing medicinal
drinks, 10 make duleies. (sweetmests)
isllies and dainty desserts. and occa-
nonally, by way Of practice Is given for
asssson the entire management Of her
hlher's household.
Among the upper classes in Mexico
aonestie life is charmingly simple aud
galy worthy OF imitation. as contrast
With the lives Of some OF our So
aety ladies" with their summers al
Watering places and winters In Europe,
hsit neglected homes and eeaseleSs
'oand Of expensive gayety. A pro
lesslonal beauty would not be tolerated
here 10 good society, and a married belle
soald ind herself speedily ostracised
Han improper character.
Another class of women, a grade or
Wg below the patrician class in the
sociAl structure. are numerous in Mex
20 and greatly 20 be pitled. They con
naef themselves far above the serving
eases, yet are too poor TO be comfort
Aee and too proud 10 work for a living
As any right-minded American girl
would do The ignorant and bigoted
parents OF this rank have some ambi-
uon 10 regard 20 the education Of their
sons generally straininR every point
y household economy to send them
= Sms local college but Tor the girls
atue reading. writing and enhroi-
~ Is considered amply sufficient
w several wears past the Mexican
1y1SInmsnt has been making praise
ellhy Efforts 20 ameliorate the dense
3ao5anee Of this class by increasing
~ number OF public schools and offer
- edncation free to all. One more
~ i needed, however. and that is
render It compulsory, and 81 han
a. NE needle and the embroidery
aaee irom the schoolhouse. Hitherto
- ereater portion OF the school life Of
~ sF' has been devoted to the
SgErioNsHts ACCOMPLISHMENT
emofpidery lacework and the man.
-.T'are 81 artificial flowers, the latter
L''Iy being doubly farce In this
49, - perpetual bloom. In many Of
- schools the teachers exhibit with
- pecimens Of che finest stitching
me most elaborate embroidery.
h,aNh work and lace ot marvellous
Soy and canvas work that equals
s.,...aoQs Gcbelin tapestry. Angels,
.t.93FTA incidents. etc. are wrought
-. Va upon fine linen, requiring in
pains and = vast expenditure Of
tNa, eyeslEht. and often a wears
a. =. : devoted BY some p,sor cir. who
), SsTceiy read ar write. % an aniAs
'eapoD in canvas aud colored
perhaps her patron saint. rep